Spring coiling machines



F. A. DAWES SPRING 001mm; MACHINES July 22, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledAug. 8, 1967 FIG]. I

July 22, 1969 F. A. DAWES 3,456,470

SPRING COILING MACHINES Filed Aug. 8, 1967 3 Sheetis-Sheet 2 July 22,1969 F. A. DAWES I,

SPRING COILING MACHINES Filed Aug. 8, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 UnitedStates Patent Int. Cl. B2113 3/04 US. Cl. 72-135 3 Claims ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE Mechanism for actuating the pitch tool which controls thespacing of adjacent coils of wire in a spring coiling machine, saidmechanism having a rectilinearly movable first cam, a rotatable secondcam, means interconnecting the two cams whereby rotation of the secondcam will effect rectilinear movement of the first cam, and a plungerwhich is adapted to actuate the pitch tool and which is movable in adirection transverse to the direction of movement of the first cam so asto be movable thereby, the first cam having a first face which extendsin a plane parallel to the direction in which said first cam is movableand a second face inclined to the first face, the first face beingoperative when the plunger is in a position in which the pitch tool isin its working position.

This invention relates to a spring machine of the kind adapted to formhelically coiled springs and which includes feed rolls which arerotatable for the purpose of advancing a length of wire that is to becoiled into a spring, and a pitch tool which in use is adapted to engagea coil of wire in order to deflect it and provide any desired spacingbetween adjacent coils in the spring.

The object of the present invention is to provide in an improved formmechanism for actuating the pitch tool in a spring-coiling machine ofthe kind specified.

In accordance with the invention there is provided in a spring coilingmachine of the kind specified mechanism for actuating the pitch toolwhich comprises a first cam mounted for rectilinear movement and havinga first face which extends in a plane parallel to the direction in whichthe cam is movable and a second face which is inclined to said firstface, a plunger movable in a direction transverse to the direction ofmovement of said first cam so as to be movable thereby, said plungerbeing adapted to actuate the pitch tool, a second rotatable cam andmeans connected to the first cam and engageable by the second camwhereby rotation of said second cam will effect rectilinear movement ofthe first cam and actuation of said plunger.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference tothe accompanying drawings wherein,

FIGURE 1 is a front view of one form of a spring coil machine includingpitch tool actuating mechanism constructed in accordance with theinvention,

FIGURE 2 is a view of the same machine with part of the rear wallremoved, and

FIGURE 3 shows in detail and in diagrammatic form the mechanism foractuating the pitch tool.

Referring to the drawings, the machine shown therein is provided with areciprocable rack having a slotted extension 11, the rack beingreciprocable by means of a rotatable driving member 12 having aneccentrically mounted roller 13 which engages with the slot in said rackextension 11.

The rack is connected to a pair of uni-directional driving devices 14and 15 which are themselves connected to feed rolls 16 for advancingwire through the machine, the arrangement being such that saiduni-directional driving devices enable a drive to be imparted to saidfeed 3,456,470 Patented July 22, 1969 rolls 16 irrespective of thedirection of movement of the rack. Wire fed by the feed rolls engages amandrel (not shown) in the known manner whereby it is formed into ahelical spring so that two springs will be formed during each completecycle of movement of the rack 10.

There is also provided a pitch tool 17 which is movable betweeninoperative and operative positions, said tool in its operative positionbeing adapted to engage a coil of wire so that adjacent coils in thespring can be spaced apart at any desired interval. The pitch tool 17 ismovable into its inoperative position when a spring has been completedin order that cutting off mechanism of conventional form can sever theformed spring. The pitch tool then is required to move into itsoperative position ready for the next spring.

The present invention is more particularly concerned with mechanism formoving the pitch tool 17 between its operative and inoperative positionsand to this end (as shown in FIGURE 3) there is provided in the machinea first cam 18 which is mounted in a slide 19 connected to the machineso as to be movable in a rectilinear direction which is perpendicular tothe direction of movement of the pitch tool 17 between its operative andinoperative positions. Said first cam 18 includes a first face 20 whichextends in a plane which is parallel to the direction of movement of thefirst cam and perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pitchtool. The first cam also has a second face 21 which extends in a planeinclined to the plane of the first face. In addition there is providedan arm 22 which is pivoted at one end and which carries a roller 23 atits other end, said roller being disposed between the first cam 18 andone end of a spring loaded plunger 24 which is adapted at its other endto effect movement of the pitch tool 17.

The mechanism also includes a second and rotatable cam 25 which isconveniently formed to any part circular or other curved form.

Means such as any convenient form of linkage 26 connected to said firstcam 18 is adapted to be engaged by the second cam 25 so that rotation ofthe latter by an electric motor 27 and gearing (not shown) will have theefifect of moving the first cam 18.

When the pitch tool 17 is in its inoperative position the aforementionedroller 23 carried by said arm 22 rests on said inclined second face 21of the first cam, the spring loading of the plunger 24 and a spring 28attached to said arm acting in a direction such that the plunger 24 andthe pitch tool 17 will be withdrawn. Rotation of the second cam 25 willhowever effect rectilinear movement of the first cam 18 so that saidroller 23 rides over the second face 21 of the first cam and onto thefirst face 20 as shown in FIGURE 3, thereby moving the plunger and alsothe pitch tool into its operative position. It will be appreciated thatwhilst said roller 23 engages the first face 20 of the first cam nofurther movement of the pitch tool will occur irrespective of movementof the first cam since said first face extends in a plane parallel tothe direction of movement of the first cam 18. Any inaccuracies in thecontour of the second cam 25 will not therefore result in any movementof the pitch tool 17 and it is only when said rotatable cam 25 reaches aposition which permits the first cam 18 to return to its originalposition in which said roller engages the inclined or second face 21 onthe first cam that the pitch can move into its inoperative position.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spring coiling machine of the kind adapted to form helicallycoiled springs and which includes feed rolls which are rotatable for thepurpose of advancing a length of wire that is to be coiled into aspring, and a pitch tool which in use is adapted to engage a coil ofwire in order to deflect it and provide any desired spacing betweenadjacent coils in the spring, mechanism for acuating the pitchtool whichcomprises a first cammounted for rectilinear movement and having a firstface which extends in a plane parallel to the direction in which the camis movable and a second face which is inclined to said first face, aplunger movable in a direction transverse to the direction of movementof said first cam so as to be movable thereby, said plunger beingadapted to actuate the pitch tool, a second rotatable cam and meansconnected to the first cam and engageable by the second cam wherebyrotation of said second cam will efiect rectilinear movement of thefirst cam and actuation of said plunger.

2. Mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein a roller is interposedbetween the plunger and the first cam.

3. Mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein the roller is mounted at oneend of an arm which is pivoted at its other end and which is urged byresilient means in a direction to bring the roller into engagement withthe first cam.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS

